Okay, maggots! What this forum here is for, is the discussion of all things military! Wanna learn about some weaponry? Well come on in! Armor? Got it here! SpecOps or Medieval Knights? We have it! Just read the FPMJ before you post!

Basically, here we talk about first aid and medical procedures outside of hospitals and on the field. Impromptu surgeries, tourniquet techniques, medicinal herbs, CPR and what you'll find in a regulation first aid kit will be covered.

As I know nothing about this except for the wise advice of 'second-degree burns and car upholstery don't mix', I will remain pretty silent throughtout this thread.

FIRST DEGREE BURNS are where the damage is right on the surface of the skin (eg, sunburn)... for this, you just have to flush the area with cold water until the heat in the area has subsided.

SECOND DEGREE BURNS affect the upper layers of the skin, so there will be blisters, redness, and swelling. Call EMS if the burn is large (covers about half of the body) or if the victim is a small child or baby. Bascially, you have to maintain an open airway and make sure the victim isn`t going into shock. DON`T apply ice, flush the area with cool water, and apply a dry, sterile dressing. IF THE VICTIM IS GOING INTO SHOCK: maintain body temperature, sit them down comfertably, and reassure them.

THIRD DEGREE BURNS go through the skin, so the muscles, nerves, and bones will be affected. The tissue and muscles will be exposed, and they`ll be probably in shock. You treat this the same as second degree burns, except when flushing the area, don`t allow the stream of water to fall directly on the wound. Instead, direct the stream to a point ABOVE the burn, and let the water trickle down the burned area. You MUST call EMS for a third degree burn. Start CPR if needed (I can give details on CPR if asked later) and apply a sterile dressing on the wound. If fingers or toes are affected, weave the dressing to separate the individual fingers/ toes.

If no sterile dressings are available, use a shirt or pants. Pee on it to make it sterile.

Unless you are a certified doctor, the most one can do is call EMS and give CPR, then treat for shock (treating for shock includes treatment of burn).

If the burn gets infected, pour a bit of alcohol on gauze, then gently rub the affected area, then continue bandaging. However, if some dried pus is on there, or if it embedded deep, don`t wipe it off. This will take away all the healing the body`s done already, because it heals around the wound. The doctors can take care of the infection later. Most likely, though, if no doctor comes, the burn will probably heal over the pus. That`s fine.

But, the cool water and cleaning should take away most of the germs. In any case, it`s probably going to get a little bit infected.

1. Airway: Lie victim down. Tilt head up and listen for breathing for 10 seconds.

2. Breathing: If not breathing, give 2 breaths and continue to C. If breathing, take their pulse. If they have a pulse, continue to D and E.

3. Circulation: Start chest compressions. Keep arms straight and elbows locked, stay on knees, hovering over victim the whole time. Landmark between the n***, place one hand on top of the other, and perform 30 compressions, then give 2 breaths. Rate of compressions should be about 100 per minute to a depth of 4-5 cm. (so, about 1.5 - 2 inches) If you`re doing it properly, the victim`s ribs might crack. Keep in mind that you`re restarting their heart, so the compressions need to be deep and fast. [One way I remember the pace- anyone know the song Another One Bites The Dust? The compression rate is exactly the beat of that song.] 30 compressions should be done in 18 seconds. Continue compressions until victim wakes up, EMS takes over treatment, or you literally faint from exhaustion.

4. IF, AND ONLY WHEN, THE VICTIM WAKES UP OR IF YOU FIND NO COMPLICATIONS WITH BREATHING OR PULSE: Move on to D: Deadly bleeding- Rapidly pat down their body for major bleeding, and then E: Escaping air. Basically for escaping air, you must keep their airway open, and look for any sign that they`re not breathing properly. If so, re-a*** ABCs.This should only be done when the victim is breathing properly, and their pulse is normal.

Unless the victim is someone close to you , or someone you know, don`t perform rescue breathing or touch their blood without a pocket mask or gloves. Because you could get AIDS or another disease.